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2 <br /> <br />Figure 1 CSG Financial Model <br />How Many Homes Can Be Powered by a 1 MW Community Solar Garden: <br /> <br />• The number of homes that can be powered by 1 MW of energy. The applicant suggests <br />that 300 homes can be powered by 1 MW of energy. Based on staff’s research this seems <br />to be a conservative estimate. The Idaho Public Utility Commission estimates 1 MW <br />could support 650 homes. Staff also found examples stating that 1 MW could support <br />1,000 homes. Staff notes that panel efficiency varies by region, type of panel, and <br />changes in technology. Panels are becoming more and more efficient every year and that <br />increases in technology will continue to increase the power harvested by the solar cells. <br /> <br />• Staff also prepared an exhibit showing Xcel Service Territory over the 2040 Land Uses. <br /> <br />Where can we see a 1 MW Community Solar Garden (CSG)? <br /> <br />There are a number of community solar gardens located throughout the metro area. However, <br />when the legislation was first approved, much larger 40+-acre sites for 5 MW CSGs were more <br />common. These larger CSGs can be seen in several locations in Chisago County. The closest 1 <br />MW farm that the applicant has found is located at the northeast intersection of Hwy 212 and 5th <br />Street SE on the eastern city limit of Buffalo Lake, Minnesota. <br /> <br />How does the financial model of a Community Solar Garden work? <br /> <br />A Community Solar Garden is a private entity and the City is not being asked to subsidize the <br />development of the CSG. The request is simply to consider whether this is an appropriate land <br />use in certain locations within the City of Lino Lakes. <br /> <br />The following is a general <br />summary of how the <br />program works: <br /> <br />• Who subscribes? <br />The community solar <br />garden model allows <br />individuals, <br />businesses, schools, <br />and civic entities – <br />known as <br />“subscribers” – that <br />have limited options <br />to install their own <br />on-site solar panels to <br />purchase or <br />“subscribe” to a <br />portion or a “share” <br />of the output from a <br />given solar garden.